OBJECTIVES: The great majority of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) require anticoagulation in order to prevent strokes or other thromboembolic events. We aimed at obtaining detailed and current information on patients’ satisfaction with their ongoing anticoagulation treatment. METHODS: PREFER in AF (The PREvention oF thromboembolic events – European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation) is a current non-interventional study performed in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and UK.  A total of 7243 consecutive patients with ECG-confirmed AF in the previous 12 months are followed up prospectively. The 'Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire' is a valid and reliable instrument that allows the assessment of patients' expectations (PACT-Q1)  and satisfaction regarding anticoagulant treatment, as well as patients’ opinion about treatment convenience of use (PACT-Q2). RESULTS: A total of 5049 patients (69.7%) received antithrombotic treatment and were willing to fill out the PACT-Q2 questionnaire at baseline. 77.1% of these were on vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), 6.4% on new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), 5.2% on antiplatelets (AP) and 11.0% on VKA+AP combinations.  In the “convenience” dimension, the overall score (0-100 range) was 82.9 ±17.3. The score was higher in the NOAC group (88.1 ± 13.0) compared to the VKA (82.1 ± 17.5), AP (87.0 ± 17.9) or VKA +AP groups (83.2 ± 16.8), respectively.   In the “anticoagulant treatment satisfaction” dimension of the PACT-Q2, the overall score was 63.4 ±15.9. Again, this score was higher in the NOAC group (66.6 ±16.6) compared to the VKA (63.2 ±15.9), AP (63.7 ±16.8), or VKA + AP groups (62.8 ±15.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients on current anticoagulation achieve relatively high values on the convenience scale, but moderate values on the satisfaction scale. While differences in group size and patient characteristics need to be taken into account, patients on NOACs compared to patients on VKAs tend to rate their convenience and treatment satisfaction higher.